Phaya Phi Phak Forest Park

[villagefarang]

Phaya Phi Phak Forest Park is on the fast track to become a major historical tourist attraction. In the past, Phaya Phi Phak Forest Park was a battlefield between communist rebels and Thai soldiers during the decade-long Cold War. Their Majesties the King and Queen visited the strife-torn area to boost morale for the soldiers and villagers. During his visit, HM the King also bestowed his footprints, which are now kept in Mengrai Fort.

This park is only 20 km from our house and is a favorite of mine so I though I would start a new topic which I could update as their work progresses. Here are some shots from a recent visit around sunset.

Edited October 9, 2015 by villagefarang

[villagefarang]

During a break in the weather yesterday I drove up to see what they were doing and found some changes.

[villagefarang]

There is a beautiful view looking East over the valley toward Phu Chi Fa hidden in the clouds.

[villagefarang]

To the West one looks out over the valley where I live in one of those villages near the 8000 rai rubber plantation of Beer Chang.

[villagefarang]

The road up the West face is steep and winding with nice views on the way down.

[villagefarang]

One washed out section of road is well on its way to being repaired.

[Assurancetourix]

Thank you Villagefarang ;

We , ( i and a friend ) will be in your village about the 20th of november; on our MTB coming from Lao ;

If we have enough time ...we will visit a little bit around .

Great photos, as usual;

Thanks a lot

Edited October 10, 2015 by Assurancetourix

[villagefarang]

Thank you Villagefarang ;

We , ( i and a friend ) will be in your village about the 20th of november; on our MTB coming from Lao ;

If we have enough time ...we will visit a little bit around .

Great photos, as usual;

Thanks a lot

Hopefully our schedules will be more compatible this time.

[wellred]

Looks amazing I hope I can go one day.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jharr]

Thanks for these excellent photos. We thoroughly enjoyed a ride this week down the 1155 (what a stunning road) and up to the Phaya Phi Phak Forest Park view point for the impressive views. The scooter brakes got a good workout on the decent to the 1020.

I think we were in your area the previous week too riding through lovely countryside a bit off the beaten path from the 1174 over to Tat Khwang, past it and down to the 1152.

Edited October 17, 2015 by jharr

[villagefarang]

Thanks for these excellent photos. We thoroughly enjoyed a ride this week down the 1155 (what a stunning road) and up to the Phaya Phi Phak Forest Park view point for the impressive views. The scooter brakes got a good workout on the decent to the 1020.

I think we were in your area the previous week too riding through lovely countryside a bit off the beaten path from the 1174 over to Tat Khwang, past it and down to the 1152.

I am pleased to hear you enjoyed riding in my little corner of Chiang Rai. I do indeed live on the 1174 so it is a well worn path for me and the 1152 is one route to town or the 1326/1173 to Wiang Chai. Tad Kwan Waterfall is within 20 km of my place, just like Phaya Phi Phak Forest Park and is the only waterfall in our area.

[Randell]

Fantastic photos. That's also in my neck of the woods so to speak when I am home. Which I am currently not. I will have to swing by there and check it out. I do belive I have been to the waterfall before. Again VF thanks for the photos absolutely crisp and clear well done.

Randell

[robblok]

Great photos, loved watching them. What a beautiful country (at least over there)

[villagefarang]

Went up again today and was surprised at the amount on concrete they have poured. Even with a bit of haze there were still nice views and it was pretty cool.

[villagefarang]

Here is the latest Phaya Phi Phak Forest Park update. We were up there today because the sun finally came out after several dark, cold, wet and windy days. It was still a little cloudy but beautiful. The roadwork is pretty much finished so the drive up was easier.

[villagefarang]

Not much has changed since the last time I visited but I wanted to show a friend how to get up and over the mountain so we stopped and took a few photos. Still very hazy and not very good for photography. I noticed some cracks in the dirt near the concrete and it looks like there could be some major erosion with the first big rainstorms on the mountain. Guess we will have to wait and see.

Looking up there was some blue sky but looking down in the valley was a different matter.

[villagefarang]

Here are two recent shots from Phaya Phi Phak.

[villagefarang]

Latest shot from the park show a lot more development.  Hopefully they won't go overboard.